From Stage Fright to Stardom

Austin & Ally actress Laura Marano talks about big changes this season on the hit show

Jun 21, 2013 | By Kelli Plasket

BRUCE BIRMELIN—DISNEY CHANNEL

Ally, played by Laura Marano, takes the stage in a scene from a new episode of Austin & Ally premiering Sunday, June 23, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

In this Sunday’s new episode of Austin & Ally, something will happen that fans of the show may have never imagined: Ally will have her first solo performance! The talented songwriter, played by Laura Marano, is known for her stage fright and lack of confidence. In the current second season of the hit show, Ally has slowly stepped out of the shadow, and now, she’s ready to make her debut as a solo performer. But there is no lack of obstacles in the way. In the June 23rd episode, called “Tracks & Troubles,” Ally wants to perform her new song but the record label wants another artist to sing it (scroll down for a clip from the episode). TFK caught up with Laura, 17, to talk about the special episode and what else is coming up for the show.

Ally has her first solo performance in an upcoming episode. How was filming that scene?

LAURA MARANO:

It was absolutely incredible. First of all, my cast and crew are so supportive and so nice. I actually co-wrote the song, which was super cool. People would compliment me on the song, and the performance. At the end of the day, I was just blushing ridiculously. When we shoot, we do different takes. I just kept wanted to do more. I was like, “Hang on guys! Let me do it one more time! I think one more take is really going to do it! I’m feeling it!”

TFK:

What’s the song called?

LAURA:

It’s called “Finally Me.” I co-wrote it with Matthew Tishler and Ben Charles, which was so awesome. It’s basically about becoming your own person. In the first episode, Ally is so shy and not confident, she has major stage fright and can’t even perform. Now, in the middle of season two, she’s become a completely different person. She’s finally herself. The song is about celebrating that, celebrating who we are. I’m 17 and I’m still finding out who I am. It’s like, “Oh, let me see what I’m going to learn about myself today!”

TFK:

Can you relate to overcoming a major fear?

LAURA:

Oh yeah, 100%. I feel like everyone can, right? We’ve all had struggles, have things that we feel insecure about, have goals even on a much smaller scale like, “I’m going to get an A on this test.” It’s nice sometimes to just take a moment and be happy with where you are, be happy with the present.

TFK:

Ally works at a musical instrument shop, so the characters have come up with some creative uses of the instruments, like when Austin and Ally play clarinet golf in a recent episode. Do you have another favorite moment involving that?

LAURA:

In the domino episode, Dez and Austin do this domino course with all the instruments, which was actually way more elaborate than clarinet golf. It was incredible. It was so elaborate, so complicated and complex. I was scared that I was going to bang my foot and the whole thing was going to collapse. I’m the clumsiest person on set. If anything would happen, of course it would be because of me.

TFK:

What’s the funniest scene you’ve shot so far this season?

LAURA:

The second season, we episo laughed so much. On the June 23rd, I had to hit a piñata – a talent that I do not have. We were filming that one in front of a live audience. I would try to hit it but I was just not successful. Everybody was laughing. Like it would fall on the floor, and I would miss it on the floor. I would hit everything but the piñata. It was hilarious but ridiculous.

TFK:

What can fans expect for the rest of the season?

LAURA:

Definitely a lot more is going to happen with Ally’s career, which is fun. And I never like to pick favorites because I honestly do love every episode we film but I have to say the season 2 finale might just be my favorite episode. It’s so good. I don’t want to give anything away but a lot of funny and dramatic things happen. It was a blast to shoot and in that episode Ally’s career really experiences different things.

TFK:

Congratulations on the show being picked up for season 3. What are you most looking forward to about getting back on set this summer?

LAURA:

Thank you! Seeing everybody. I miss everybody so much that I was just talking to Raini [Rodriquez, who plays Trish] an hour ago, setting up a time where we can just hang out because I hadn’t seen her in forever.

TFK:

And you are wrapping up your junior year, right? You had SATs and AP tests this year, so are you looking forward to a break?

LAURA:

Yep, today was my last day of junior year! I’m a senior. Yeah, [I’m looking forward to] not having to make my mind explode with all this information I’ve been taking in. There was a point a month ago—because I was taking the SATs and the AP near the same time so I was studying for both so much—my mind almost imploded. It was a problem. I’m so excited to just veg out and relax this summer.